MEDITATION

Discipline – n – a branch of knowledge, typically one studied in higher education; to train or develop by instruction and exercise especially in self-control

It is this second definition that we will focus on – discipline as a noun.

We are going to being a 13-week journey based on Richard Fosters Spiritual Disciplines.

His subtitle is the path to spiritual growth – and that should be all of our desires is to grow spiritually closer to the Father, be guided more by the Holy Spirit.

This is not New Age thinking – and as you will see – everything will be guided by and supported by Scripture. My prayer for all of us is that at the end of each message – we all agree to practice and participate in that given discipline that week.

These are not –

· Difficult

· Do not require theological knowledge or schooling

· Stifling or drudgery or enslaving

Be aware of the two struggles we will face

· Philosophic – realizing terms and disciplines have been a part of the God-followers walk all along – even though new age and other religions have applied these to their religion (meditation & solitude) – science keeps us distracted (technology etc.)

· Practicality – the “how to” – this is not about mechanics but whatever the discipline the intent is to draw us closer to the very heart of God – its not about boxes to check or rules to follow – do not turn into a “Law” like the pharisee’s did

It is all about the attitude of the heart when we put these into practice

Leo Tolstoy observes, “Everybody thinks of changing humanity and nobody thinks of changing himself.”

Let us Pray!

Foster Divides the disciplines into 3 categories – 4 disciplines in each category –

Inner Disciplines Outer Disciplines Corporate Disciplines

This week we begin with the inner disciplines (meditation, prayer, fasting, study)– the inner disciplines are not generally done alone or in isolation but many times in conjunction with another inner discipline – like prayer and meditation, and our first is Meditation

I. Why Meditate? To enable us to heart God more clearly

Satan is masterful in 3 major areas - noise, hurry and crowds. If he cannot trap us in sin, he will be satisfied with making us busy, muchness and manyness - so we are distracted from spending time with God.

The Hebrew words for meditation occur over 60 times in the Old Testament

Psalm 19:14 – Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

Psalm 119:15 – I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways.

Joshua 1:8 – This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.

Psalm 119:96-98 says, "Oh how I love your law! It is my meditation all the day. Your commandment makes me wiser than my enemies, for it is ever with me."

107-108 - I hold back my feet from every evil way, in order to keep your word. I do not

turn aside from your rules, for you have taught me.

148 - My eyes are awake before the watches of the night, that I may meditate on your promise.

Genesis 24:63a - And Isaac went out to meditate in the field toward evening.

Matthew 14:13a - Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a desolate place by himself.

We should meditate so we can hear and obey -

John 5:19, 30 - "So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise.

v30 – I can do nothing on my own. As I hear, I judge, and my judgment is just, because I seek not my own will but the will of him who sent me."

It is pleasing to God

Psalm 104:34 – May my meditation be pleasing to him, for I rejoice in the Lord.

Psalm 119:99 – I have more understanding than all my teachers, for your testimonies are my meditation.

The verse from the song “In the Garden” – And He walks with me, and He talks with me, and He tells me I am His own becomes more of a reality and less of a prayer request,

II. What is Meditation? What it is not –

1. First – what it is not – Christian meditation is not yoga

a. Not emptying the mind – our mind is the only access satan has – it is satan's playground - when our mind is empty he can fill it with whatever he desires

Romans 1:21 – For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened

b. Detach from the world

c. Difficult or complicated

2. Christian Meditation is –

a. Occupy the mind with God’s Word – with Scripture

b. Attachment – attach ourselves to God the Father, Jesus the Son, the Holy Spirit

c. This common practice for all Christians for a long time

Psalm 77:6 – I said, “Let me remember my song in the night; let me meditate in my heart.” Then my spirit made a diligent search

v11-12 – I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your wonders of old. I will ponder all your work, and meditate on your mighty deeds.

Psalm 119:27 – Make me understand the way of your precepts, and I will meditate on your wondrous works.

v97 – Oh how I love your law! It is my meditation all the day.

v148 – My eyes are awake before the watches of the night, that I may meditate on your promise.

Psalm 63:6 When I remember you upon my bed, and meditate on you in the watches of the night;

Psalm 49:3 My mouth shall speak wisdom; the meditation of my heart shall be understanding.

Psalm 143:5 I remember the days of old; I meditate on all that you have done; I ponder the work of your hands.

Psalm 1:2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law, he meditates day and night.

Isaiah 26:3 You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.

III. How (Prepare) to Meditate

William Penn said, " True godliness does not turn men out of the world, but enables them to live better in it and excites their endeavors to mend it."

Our question for ourselves is – do we truly desire to hear His Voice?

1. Proper Time

When is best for you – when you first wake – midday at lunch, evening?

Jesus did early morning and at night

Mark 1:35a – And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place

Don’t become religious or legalistic about it

1 Thessalonians 5:16-19 - Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit.

2. Proper Place

Free from distraction

No smart phone – no watch – find a place free from distraction

Matthew 14:13a – Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a desolate place by himself.

v23 – And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone,

John 6:15 – Perceiving then that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, Jesus withdrew again to the mountain by himself.

3. Proper Posture – its not about position of the body but of the mind and heart

Most comfortable and least distracting

Inward tension and anxiety can distract and destroy the ability to relax and focus

Center your body, emotion, mind and spirit on the Lord

Luke 2:19 But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart.

Psalm 119:148 - My eyes are awake before the watches of the night, that I may meditate on your promise.

Psalm 143:5 - I remember the days of old; I meditate on all that you have done; I ponder the work of your hands.

Psalm 145:5 - On the glorious splendor of your majesty, and on your wondrous works, I will meditate.

Psalm 77:12 – I will ponder all your work, and meditate on your mighty deeds.

Proverbs 4:20-22 – My son, be attentive to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. Let them not escape from your sight; keep them within your heart. For they are life to those who find them, and healing to all their flesh.

IV. Forms of Meditation - meditatio Scripturarum - meditation upon Scripture is the focus

1. Experience

Enter the story not as an observer but as a participant

(feeding of the 5k – be the child that brings the fish and loaves to Jesus how did Peter call him over to Jesus – what are his thoughts, feelings – be his parents what are they saying thinking, listen to the people talking, watch the basket each time the disciples bring it to someone new – listen to the voice of Jesus – what is he teaching

Woman at the well – in the boat with Jesus, at the tomb of Lazarus etc.)

2. Centered

Palms down, Palms up - place palms down - give something over to God be focused be specific – palms up ready to receive something from God focus on God’s presence be specific in your prayer (opposite of what you released)

3. Focused

2 Timothy 3:16-17 – All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

Hebrews 4:12 – For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

Colossians 3:16 – Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.

Psalm 119:9-11 – How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word. With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments! I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.

Scripture – Focus on every word of Scripture – think on each individual word and what God is saying to you through it

John 14:27 – Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

Creation - Psalm 19:1-3 - The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge. There is no speech, nor are there words, whose voice is not heard.

Really focus on creation - study the leaf of a tree, petal of a flower, listen to the birds or breeze, look for the symmetry and beauty in creation

Most of the inward disciplines are done in conjunction with another –

Meditation and Prayer

Meditation and Solitude

Meditation and Study

If you truly want to deepen your relationship with the Father – there is no better way than through these disciplines – my prayer is that this week – each one of us practices the discipline of meditation as a way to draw closer to the very heart of God

What form can you work on this week – Experienced? Centered? Focused?

Take time this week to not only practice but answer the questions on the back of the pamphlet

When Jesus walked on earth and before – many of these disciplines were common knowledge and did not have to be taught “how to” everyone already knew – as technology has changed and made life “better” “easier” through generations we regulated these to “those spiritual people or leaders” and have lost them – how do you relearn to ride a bike – get back on – regain your balance –

Hopefully we can regain spiritual balance as we practice these disciplines and grow deeper in our relationship with God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit.